Wanda Vickers leaves too early.

Wanda was so patient with all of the children she watched over on the Peninsula. Always looking for the good and trying to uplift any that were on the wrong path. Her Husband Glen and I worked at the Pulp Mill together for nearly 30 years. He was there around 45! Glen has played guitar for the Roadmasters band forever and I just can't say enough good for them both. She would probably find it amusing that the Manila Community Center was packed with an overflow crowd for her memorial. She had no idea on how many lives she touched. God bless her.

Local 49 Pulp Mill Workers last act of Benevolence.

The Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers Local 49 had a long history of donating to causes such as Relay for life, little league and others, so it was no surprise that the former Pulp Mill workers agreed with my suggestion to donate the last of our locals dollars to Humboldt charities. I put out a list of 8 charities that would garner a donation of $500 each and then went back and forth over the list. Here are the local agencies that I wrote checks to. I think these are very worthy ones for you to consider donating to if you have extra cash.

Food for People
The Humboldt All Faith Partnership
Humboldt Area Foundation
Humboldt Domestic Violence Services
Humboldt Senior Resource Center
American Cancer Society
Betty Chin/St Vincent de Paul Homeless Fun
Hospice of Humboldt

So that pretty much does it for Local 49. It has been an honor to serve as President and I have been so fortunate to have worked with so many great people at the Pulp Mill.

Local Union Shops!

Top 5 Best Chicken Fried Steak Breakfast places.

Sometimes you just have a huge grub to get on. And when it comes to Chicken Fried Steaks (CFS), you don't want it screwed up! I so miss Betty Mae's and Bev's.

#5 TIE-Cutten Inn, Pantry, Bear River and Hometown Buffet. It is a quantity thing you know.

#4 Marie Calenders. The portions could be bigger. Their coffee sucks.

#3 Momma's Kitchen. Not bad and always friendly.

#2 Kristina's. Awfully good, but you just don't know if it will be over cooked.

#1 Toni's. Hands down. You will have to dig through the pile to find the eggs and potatoes. Huge portion and consistent. That is a biggie with CFS.

Norman Solomon for Congress?

Anti Corporate, pro single payer health, anti war, against rural post office shutdowns, wants to invest in education and holds the creation of jobs as #1 priority.

This is the only candidate for congress that has been around the Humboldt County population hub multiple times. A Progressive doing a real grassroots campaign. Sounds like a good candidate to me!

Viet Nam Vet Carlos Giovanneti passes on. 37 year Pulp Mill worker. Only 558,000 Nam vets left?

Carlos Giovanetti passed away this past Monday. Loving referred to as a "Waspahoe" by his co-workers, he was actually of Italian and Tolowa Dee-ni' Native American ancestry. Carlos always said what he felt, even when the recipient might not appreciate it. He was always looking for public banter at work. He was a very competent operator and who knew the bleach plant well.

Carlos was a Viet Nam veteran that is fast becoming extinct. Out of the original 2.7 men and women who fought there, only about 558,000 remain with us. And as of the year 2000, 390 vets from that war die a day! Carlos and I had deep angry discussions about faith and Soldiers that died in Nam. Things happened over there that I just could not relate to.

Carlos was a great athlete who never bragged about his accomplishments and he loved to spectate at football, baseball, volleyball and softball games. He loved his family. What more can one say. I will miss him.

Obama the best in fiduciary responsibility?

You make the call!

Samoa Apple Festival! Harvest time.

It has taken 15 years for a dwarf apple tree in our back yard to produce. I have not seen any other apple trees on the Samoa peninsula. Robin has had success in growing cherry tomatoes but this years crop was slim.

Marks cars from the past. Between Robin and I.

Marks Best Car Ranking & What Happened?

1. 90’ Ford Aerostar- Gave away to neighbors who had kids
2. 98’ Mercury Tracer- Gave to Charity
3. 2002 PT Cruiser- Still have at nearly 200,000 miles
4. 85’ Camaro- Well over 200,000 when I gave it to my brother
5. 70’ Mustang- I loved this car! Sold it while in college
6. 2002 Mustang- Kinda wish I had kept
7. 1995 BMW 325i- Keeps Knapek’s electrical in business
8. 76’Mazda 3XP- Drove it until it rusted out! This car had no high end I tell you!
9. 78’ Cordoba- Fine Corinthian leather, nice ride traded in
10. 70’ Dodge Charger- Never had issues with engine, just electrical stuff, sold for $150?
11. 85’ Corvette- Hassle getting in and out of, traded in
12. 65’ Ford Galaxy- Boring but dependable. Someone in the family ended up with it
13. 98’ Escort- Gave to Charity
14. 2006 Neon- Totaled. Son was ran into from behind.
15. 78’ Olds Delta 88- Sold for a few hundred
16. 74’ Monte Carlo- Traded in for TR-7
17. 63’ Nova- Fire engine Red, traded for 60’ Impala
18. 99’ Contour Traded in
19. 75’ TR-7- Fun car when it ran! Traded in
20. 60’ Impala- Fins and all! Traded for 66’ Impala
21. 66’ Impala- Bad wreck when Motor Mount broke. Totaled
22. 60’ Ford Ranchero- “The Rat Wagon” 177 engine and gutless
23. 70’ Pinto- Worked for work
24. 70’ Mazda 616- Robin’s first car
25. 75’ Audi- Gave away to neighbors in need for family

Not sure all the years correct but close. Didn’t make the list: 61’ Ford truck, 2-85’ Ford Rangers, 87’ Honda Accord, 85’ Buick Rivera, Olds Cutless, 89’ Lincoln Mark 7, 89’ Cadillac and others I am sure I forgot.

Road Rage attack in Fairhaven! Sand Dwellers gots the anger!

I received a Neighborhood Watch report this morning regarding an incident of road rage. Seems a resident of Fairhaven was following a red Hyundai with a black spoiler on the peninsula heading south slowly and passed them. There was a girl driving with three guys and a pit bull in the car. They yelled and made obscene gestures at the guy when he passed them. The car that was passed followed the guy to his house in Fairhaven and the three guys brutally attacked the guy in his own driveway! Several Fairhaven residents witnessed the attack and followed the car as it left and parked in another place in Fairhaven. The Sheriff Department responded but the people denied involvement.

So now I wonder, why wasn't anyone arrested? And why do people have to be like this?

More Softball. Fall League 2011!

Mad River Softball Association is hosting a Fall Wood Bat Softball League for Adults. If you have a team, or you are a free agent that wants to play, let me know. League will start either Sept. 22nd or 27th and run through October.

"Eurtweeka, I lost it!" We need a new slogan! Contest by Samoasoftball.

Actually the City of Eureka had a one time slogan "Queen City of the Ultimate West" which does not seem to be very catchy. Sharing the "I found it slogan" with the State of California seems awkward in itself. We should have something like "Oyster Capital of the West", or "Fog City USA".

The City of Redding had a contest recently and had some pretty funny slogans submitted, "Redding, one methed up place!", "Welcome to Teabagastan", "Come on vacation, leave on probation", "Good paying jobs and great benefits are just a few hours away" and Welcome to Redding-(Slogan censored due to closed session vote on said slogan)."

There were more serious ones that were summitted, "Redding, Heaven on Earth, Hot as Hell", "Go jump in a lake!", Recreate, relax, repeat" and "A place to float your boat."

The winner won a dinner from Jack's Grill with "Redding: She's Hot!"

How about for Eureka; "Eureka, She's Tepid!"

Do you have a better slogan? Come up with good slogan and I will reward the best with a gift certificate for dinner for Rita's.

5 Busiest fast food drive tups in Eureka.

The opening of Church's Chicken has caused quite the stir lately, but here is the way to busy drive-ups in Eureka:

5. Wendy's on Broadway. This place has cleaned up its act over the years.
4. Jack in the Box on Broadway. Cheap Taco's!
3. Burger King on 5th Street. Been down this lane many times.
2. McDonald's on 4th Street. They will screw up your order!
1. Taco Bell on Broadway. Crazy busy all of the time. I just don't get it.

Honorable mention to Subway on 4th and McDonald's on Broadway.

"You Queers!" Political incorrectness by senior softballers.

My Samoa Athletic Club softball team played their final 2011 game against Babe's Pizza at Cooper Gulch last night. The players were in a good mood and we were still fielding a complete team after many injuries that will happen to players over 50 years old. During the game our Left Fielder Mike Burghart had a line drive hit his way and went down on his knees to scoop it off the ground. One of the players for Babe's was at 3rd base and thought the ball was trapped and ran home. Mike threw the ball to our 3rd baseman Randy Landowski and Randy stepped on the bag for a double play. The Babe's players threw a fit at umpire Henry Felix and for whatever reason started yelling obscenities to our team for the call. One of their players who is around 60 yelled "You Queers" out loud and tried to start a fist fight with one of our players! Talk about not good sportsmanship. I did not expect a homophobic slur during a game between Senior adults. May his AARP card be revoked!

Oh, we have been guilty of whinning but not at this level. And yes, I have been guilty of telling the Babe's players that their team name should be "Babie's". We are just trying to have fun and get some exercise and social interaction in a semi competitive setting.

I would like to thank the "Mossbacks" of Eureka and "Lets Play Ball" of Blue Lake for their participation and hope to see you with wood bats next year. Overall we had fun.

Samoa Athletic Club players for 2011 were Bob Sprague, John Parker, Dudley Walters, Jamie Robertson, Tony Hernandez, Randy and Billy Landowski, "Doc" Jones, Mike Burghart, Dave Damme, Scott Griswold, Glen Ferguson, Steve Ritter and Bob Borden.

May the DL list avoid us all next year!

Where or where is a decent Prime Rib in Eureka!

I have brought this up before, but all I get is suggestions for steak places that do not serve prime rib dinners. Here are my suggestions, but there might be more out there.

5. Pantry-Are they still serving?
4. Sizzler-Is, well, a Sizzler.
3. Adels-Inconsistent is their only downfall.
2. Sea Grill-Wonderful Salad bar to boot!
1. Oberon in Old Town-I had a great dinner experience and was wowed that I had not tried this place before. Awesome Prime Rib.

I know there are other places in the county like Bear River, Curly's and Blue Lake, but you shouldn't have to travel so far.

Samoa redistricted to the 3rd?

By reading the recommended guidelines for Humboldt County redistricting, I would say that Samoa should be a prime target to be moved to the 3rd Supervisorial District. "District lines cannot be drawn to split up communities of interest, which state law defines as a contiguous population which shares common social and economic interests that should be included within a single district for purposes of its effective and fair representation." That would seem to define the Peninsula well. Manila, Samoa, Finntown and Fairhaven all seem to share interest, and if the Manila Community Service District expands the juristiction to all of the peninsula we would definetly be contigous. "Districts must be in one contigous space."I believe the only reason the South Peninsula area was included in the 4th District was because of land owned by the City of Eureka and the Industrial properties. Not too much industry going on now. Other guidelines include preservation of cities which I have already covered and current Supervisors can not be drawn out of their districts. The only elected political position that would be affected would be the 4th Division Humboldt Bay Harbor Commissioner. Oh, that would be me!

Best Burger Joints in Humboldt County.

Here is the criteria; must be primarily burger or Hot Dog themed places. No chains. (I do prefer a burger with genetically modified organisms GMOs over grass fed.)

10. Surfside Burger Shack (Eureka)- I do think they need to put up a corn fed beef option. Just buy those pre-made up from Costco or something.

9. Getti Up (Garberville)- Been awhile for me, but I don't remember being disappointed.

8. Bob's Footlong (Fortuna)-Lot's of choices and pleasant people.

7. Whimpy's (Willow Creek)- One of my favorites that has seemed to go down hill.

6. Fresh Freeze (Eureka)- Just not that big on their fries but they do have great burgers and shakes!

5. Deb's Great American Hamburger (Redway)-If you like Betty Boop, this is the place to visit.

4. Star's Burger (Eureka)-I have had good and bad experiences on Harrison. The bad has left me not going for awhile.

3. Mike's (Eureka)-Don't talk politics in here and you will do well. Don't seem to like Democrats in any flavor. Great greasy garlic fries.

2. Toni's (Arcata)-Their fries are so-so. But they have great burgers and great union rings. Good portions.

1. No Brand Burger stand (Ferndale)-I probably won't get many arguments on this. Great burgers, but maybe to close to the source.

Wal Mart in Eureka?

Next thing you know and we will have a Home Depot too. I am not a big fan of either because of their history of how they treat employees. But I am sure that if Wal Mart opens a store in the Bayshore Mall, they will have huge crowds shopping there. Why do I think that? I remember when they opened the K-Mart on Broadway and it was packed for years! Kind of funny thinking about it now since they have slowed down since other stores have opened such as Big Box Costco and Target. It will be interesting to see the communities reaction if the rumor has legs.

Longtime hoops tourney organizer Gunnerson dies

Arman Gunnerson desired nothing more than to make a difference in the lives of young people. He achieved this lofty goal many times over. Gunnerson devoted himself to the Crescent City Jaycees 8th Grade Basketball Tournament, which has become a major annual event since its inception in 1968. He died Tuesday morning at Sutter Coast Hospital due to complications from a stroke he suffered last month. He was 74.

Arman contacted me nearly 20 years ago and approached me about holding an 8th grade Basketball Tournament for small schools in Humboldt County. He was a quite, calm mega organizer and just nice guy. I had been coach at Peninsula School in Samoa for awhile and had been trying to build the program worthy of playing in the Crescent City tournament, which hosts 56 of the top teams from all over California and Oregon. So for years Peninsula (Robin and I directing.)hosted the small teams qualifier's and Arman would be in the stands scouting teams to invite. Peninsula stopped hosting when I went to work on the road for the union. I continued coaching Peninsula later until there were not enough kids to field a team.

Arman. You done well. May you receive God's reward.

Top Breakfast Places in Eureka. Past and present.

I sure miss some of the closed places to eat breakfast. I loved Bev's, Bettie Mae's, Eureka Truck Terminal, Stanton's and Carl's Diner. And there has not been many to replace them with a huge greasy cholesterol filled menu. But here is my take of the best right now:

10. Waterfront Cafe- Nice view!
9. Cutten Inn- The "Bomber" biscuit and gravy special.
8. Amiga's Burrito- Their Breakfast Burrito is really good!
7. Marie Calendar's- Been having $4.99 special for months!
6. The Double AA- Bar type atmosphere.
5. The Chalet House of Omelette's- Been around for quite sometime. If you are into omelette's, this is your place.
4. Amy's Delight- On Harris. Across from Fig's.
3. Mama's Kitchen- My buddy Perry's favorite.
2. Adel's- Nice clean place with pleasant workers.
1. Kristina's- Consistent and I suggest the Mexicana omelet, but they have a $6.99 steak and eggs that is really good too. Waitresses are really friendly.